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Woodstock delays contract amendment on water/sewer study after staff flags data, potential large rate increases
Summary
Council pulled item D1 for separate consideration after staff said new data required reworking the consultantmaster-plan/rate study and an added scope could cost roughly $40,000; staff warned the consultant's complete capital assumptions could imply up to a 70% rate increase unless the study is remapped to the city's adopted capital budget.
During consent-agenda discussion, Councilman Hansen removed item D1 for separate consideration after raising questions about contract scope and follow-up cost. Staff said the consultant had completed work based on prior data but that updated capital figures and corrected data required substantial rework and additional compensation estimated at roughly $40,000.
City staff described the consultantfindings and stressed the need to reconcile the consultant's capital-replacement "wish list" with the city's actual adopted capital budget so council can see alternatives rather than a single high-cost outcome. One staff member summarized the consultantreporting as presenting a scenario that would require a roughly 70% rate increase if all capital needs were funded at the consultantrecommended level.
Council members expressed process concerns: several said the change order and contract adjustments were frequent and asked staff to revisit procedure and to remap consultant numbers into the city's known capital budget and priorities before approving additional funds. Council suggested asking the consultant to present high/low alternatives and to rework the rate-study assumptions to produce options compatible with the city's financial constraints.
The council moved to postpone D1 to a time nonspecific so staff could review and return with a revised recommendation; the motion to postpone passed unanimously by roll call. Staff said the city can continue to use and refine consultant work already completed but asked for time to integrate accurate capital numbers, identify "must-have" projects, and present a rate-impact range to the council.
Next steps: staff will review the consultant's deliverables, re-run or repackage results against the city's capital budget, and return to council with alternatives for scope and cost. No additional funds were approved at this meeting.
